Fence-post.



T. W. SMITH.

FENCE POST. APPLICATION FILED 0014,1013.

1,1 07,858. Pa ented Aug. 18, 1914.

(32):, (j7s Gnome.

UNITE 'THOMAS W. SMITH, OF DELPHOS, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS W. SMITH, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Delpho-s, in the county of Allen and. State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence- Posts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to fence posts and has for its Object the production of a simple and efficient means for attaching the wires to the post in such a manner as to prevent the accidental releasing of the wires from the post.

Another object of this invention is the production of a simple means for allowing the wires of a fence to be quickly attached to the post.

lVith these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. H

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the post in an assembled position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the post showing the wires in transverse section. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section through the post. Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4% of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail-ed perspective of the upper end of the main body portion of the post. Fig. 6 is a detailed perspective of the outer portion of the auxiliary or locking portion of the post.

By referring to the drawing it will be seen that 1 designates the body of the post which is substantially semi-circular in cross section and tapers toward the upper end thereof. The substantially semi-circular body portion of the post is provided with a pair of slightly converging flange portions 2, which flange portions are provided with substantially U-shaped notches 3, one end of the U-shaped notch extending to the outer edge of the flange 2 and the other end. terminating short of the outer edge of the flange 2, thereby producing an inwardly extending lip 4 upon the flanges 2 for the purpose of constituting an overhanging finger or lip to retain the wire strands 5 in their correct position. It should, of course, be understood that as many of these notches 3 can be used as is desired to be used with the present device.

A locking plate 6 which is substantially Specification of Letters Patent.

Application fi1ed October 4, 1913.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914. Serial No. 793,426.

U-shaped in cross section fits over the flanges 2 of the body 1 and this locking plate (iis provided with substantially L-shaped notches 7 which notches are provided with inwardly extending knob portions 8 for reducing the width of the notch 7 at the angle portion thereof. The inner end of the notch 7 is rounded, as indicated at 9 for the purpose of constituting a pocket for receivingthe wire strands 5. It should beunderstood that by i having the notch 7 substantially L-shaped,

this construction will produce a depending lip 10, and owing to the knob portion 8 being formed thereon, it will be seen that this depending lip 10 may have an outward swinging movement under undue pressure when a wire strand is passed into the pocket portion 9. After the wire strand is placed in the pocket portion 9, the lip 10 will assume its normal position and constitute a locking means for retaining the wire strand in its correct position.

In assembling the posts the wire strands are first placed in the notches 3 having the wire strand fitting under the inwardly eX- tending lip or finger 4:. The locking plate is then placed over the flanges 2 and is so forced upon the flanges 2 as to cause the wires 5 to be inserted in the notches 7. By forcing, the locking plate 6 downwardly when the wires are in the position shown in Fig. 2, the lips 10 will be forced slightly outwardly and the wires 5 will then be seated in the pocket portion at the upper end of the notches 7 and. thereby constituting an eflicient means for holding the wires in their correct assembled position. The vertical strands or wires 11 are then connected or bound to the horizontal strands 5 by means of a wire or cord 14 of any suitable construction.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and efficient means has been produced for holding the wires in firm engagement with the post and that the lip .10 of the locking plate 6 will resist the lateral movement of the strands relative to the post 1 and the lip 4 of the body portion of the post 1 will constitute means for resisting the outward movement of the wire strands 5. It should be understood that the bracing device may be made of sheet metal and may, therefore, be very cheaply manufactured. It should be further understood that since the several sections of the fence post are provided with the interlocking slots,

the transversely extending Wires 5 which pass through the slots formed in the post maybe firmly held against movement upon the post, in view of the fact that the lips 8 of the section 6 of the post will constitute a lock for holding the Wires in a set position and prevent the vertical movement of the section 6 of the post upon the body or section 1 thereof. Furthermore, the Wires may be easily inserted or placed in engagement with the post owing to the manner of forming the several slots formed in the respective sections of the post, and at the same time the sections may be so operated as to readily release the wires from the post.

lVhat is claimed, is:

A fence post comprising a body, provided with flanges, said flanges provided with substantially U-shaped notches, one end of said U-shaped notches communicating With the outer edge of said flanges and the other end of said U-shaped notches terminating short of the outer edge of said flanges thereby producing an inwardly extending tongue, a locking plate substantially U-shaped in cross section provided With a plurality of angle notches, thereby producing a plurality of depending lips, knob portions formed upon the inner edges of said lips and registering with said angle notches at the angle portion thereof, said angle notches fitting over said U-shaped notches and adapted to hold a Wire strand of a fence in the upper end of said angle notches and under said in Wardly projecting tongue formed upon said flanges of said body.

In testimony whereof I hereunto atfiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

v THOMAS WV. SMITH. Witnesses:

J. H. SAY,

ELLEN VVALLAGE.

Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents,

Washington, D. C. 

